Used Blazeking Princess Ultra - What to Look For

[Aranyic]

Going to look (get) a used princess ultra one evening this week or next Saturday worst case. It's about a 2 hours trip each way for me but I think it's worth it. Priced them new and I was right at 3k for a princess ultra with the fan kit and convection deck. Only thing this one doesn't have is the deck and that shouldn't be a major money item down the road if I want to get one I don't think.

So question is do I need to look at anything in particular? Said he's burned it about 3 years and had it for 4. Has downdraft issues with his basement so he replaced it with a gas unit down there. Also has a buck he burns on the main level that's also a cat.

Cat hasn't been replaced yet so he's willing to come down $200 since it's probably not too far in the future? Looked at firecat and they are on sale right now for $189 if it needs one. Or about $250 normally from them or condar?

Agreed price is $1300 is there anything else I need to look at in particular when I see the stove before I hand over the money?

 

[huauqui]

I would hurry over there and get it! Honestly it looks great in the pictures. Look down in from above while working the bypass lever and make sure things are free and function in there. Make sure the flame shield is in front of the cat then lift it out and with a flashlight look at the cat, it may need a light brushing and vacuuming but that would be normal. Check the door gasket and latch. Plug in the blower and turn it on use the control to ramp it up and down to be sure it is functioning as should be. The firebrick look good but an inspection of them would be warranted as well. Pull the cat probe thermometer up and out then make sure it is not all fowled or gunked up. Turn the air intake dial on the top of the right side of the stove clockwise to the 6 o'clock position then slowly close it (counter clockwise) listening closely for the air flap to close. It should close before you get to 12 o'clock.

Other then that, man, I would just hurry.

 

[kennyp2339]

Check for cracks in the by-pass plate area (incase he ran it with it opened for an extended period of time) you can look at the front of the cat for any chips / or cracks but more than likely if the cat is damaged it will be apparent on the back side.
Also see if he has the original manual with the serial number, the cat is still under warranty so you may be able to contact BK and get a free cat replacement, you just need the serial numbers and the date is was purchased. Also do not remove the existing cat unless you have a new gasket.
The door gasket is fairly forgiving due to the latch adjustment, also the by-pass plate is also adjustable. These stoves are a simple design and very easy to work with.
My stove has the convection deck w/ blower, I personally think the convection deck makes a huge difference. Good luck, if the stove was cared for decently you will have a great heater for years to come.
*oh and order dvl pipe, not single wall like the seller has it installed on, you will want the flue temps to stay as warm as they can, they are initially low to begin with compared to other stoves.

 

[jetsam]

Look in the flue exhaust and make sure the bypass door seals nicely. The retaining clips for the bypass can supposedly be damaged if you burn it hot with the bypass open. (I say supposedly because my princess insert has suffered a couple 'incidents' with no apparent damage. . )

See if the thermostat turns okay (can't really test it on a cold stove). Check the door and hinges. Look for cracks and warped anything.

Looks nice in the picture!

 

[lsucet]

wish I can get a deal like that for my second BK. run over there and get it.lol.
most and everything you need to look for, was mentioned before by other members, no needs to say it again. Congratulations.

 

[James02]

Why is the seller parting with it???

 

[black smoke signals]

Turn the air intake dial on the top of the right side of the stove clockwise to the 6 o'clock position then slowly close it (counter clockwise) listening closely for the air flap to close. It should close before you get to 12 o'clock.

Other then that, man, I would just hurry.[/QUOTE]
My BK won't completely close shut this is normal till you get heat in fire box then you will hear it clank.

 

[Highbeam]

It looks really good. Cats are cheap, don't worry about that. Maybe some water damage on top? There is almost nothing that can go wrong with the bypass mechanism on top.

The one thing I would look for is damage from overfiring. Especially melted, sagged, or cracked bypass gasket retainers. This is visible from the firebox on the bottom of the cat chamber. Close the bypass and look/feel for straightness along the contact point of the bypass plate and the stove.

Obviously, external physical damage should be considered too.

 

[Attaboy]

Why is it every time I see a blaze king the window is black, dirty, sooty, discolored, creosote covered ?

 

[Attaboy]

Cat hasn't been replaced yet so he's willing to come down $200 since it's probably not too far in the future?

I thought their cats were guaranteed for 10 years !

 

[lsucet]

Why is it every time I see a blaze king the window is black, dirty, sooty, discolored, creosote covered ?

That's funny, like you don't know yet.

 

[Woody Stover]

Check the door gasket and latch.

Not sure if that would have the upgraded handle or if it's too old?

Check for cracks in the by-pass plate area (incase he ran it with it opened for an extended period of time)....the cat is still under warranty

Look in the flue exhaust and make sure the bypass door seals nicely. The retaining clips for the bypass can supposedly be damaged if you burn it hot with the bypass open.

Major surgery required if they are melted..."gasket retainer clips?" The extended BK warranty only applies to the original owner....don't know if there's a standard 6-yr. warranty from the cat maker that still applies to the second owner?

Why is the seller parting with it???

Has downdraft issues with his basement so he replaced it with a gas unit down there. Also has a buck he burns on the main level that's also a cat.

This might mean that he was experienced in stove operation, maybe less chance of abuse. If he had a Buck to compare it to, there may be other reasons he's willing to get rid of it.
IBeing a Woodstock guy, in that situation I would add $500 bucks or so and get a new IS or AS. Woodstock cat is only $125 or $150 for DuraFoil steel and the rest of the parts are cheap, if ever needed. But if you're looking to go as cheap as possible up front for a decent cat stove, that's a hefty discount on a stove that's only a few years old.

 

[Attaboy]

That's funny, like you don't know yet.

Actually not !

Not a popular stove here at all.

 

[lsucet]

Actually not !

Not a popular stove here at all.

It is normal cause of the smoldering most of the time running it in low, but a hot burn clean most of that.

 

[Attaboy]

It is normal cause of the smoldering most of the time running it in low, but a hot burn clean most of that.

Thank you for confirming, I suspected that this was the case but needed affirmation, must say every time I see one the glass is dirty and not burned off.

 

[lsucet]

Thank you for confirming, I suspected that this was the case but needed affirmation, must say every time I see one the glass is dirty and not burned off.

I can reload multiple times and just char/conditioning the load for a long burn without need of overheat it too much and at that point will not clean the glass to much. in fact will get worse.lol. But what i do is sometime i loaded but not tight or full and let rip more than normal. The tstat help to not overfire it.
then i can have a clean glass and after i dial it down to low, still getting a decent burn time out that load. it depend. in shoulder season you will not be looking so much for that hot burn. will be too hot.

 

[James02]

Oops @Woody Stover, just sorta glanced over that part... Fail...

 

[jeff_t]

It looks really good. Cats are cheap, don't worry about that. Maybe some water damage on top? There is almost nothing that can go wrong with the bypass mechanism on top.

The one thing I would look for is damage from overfiring. Especially melted, sagged, or cracked bypass gasket retainers. This is visible from the firebox on the bottom of the cat chamber. Close the bypass and look/feel for straightness along the contact point of the bypass plate and the stove.

Obviously, external physical damage should be considered too.

Yep, that's about all there is. If there is no connector pipe, the bypass gasket retainers are readily visible thru the open bypass. The only way I can think of to destroy them is to burn WFO with the bypass open. A lot. You can get them from Blaze King and weld them in, or fab your own, if necessary. The rode hard King I fixed up for my sister needed them, and I just flipped the stove on its top and burned them in. I think it was around $20 with shipping.

That stove had obviously been glowing on top, probably several times. It was still flat and it painted up nicely, and it's still going strong.

The thermostat could remotely possibly be a problem, but they aren't terribly expensive and easy to replace.

Firecat combustors work really well, and they're customer service is top notch, at least in my one experience. The cat arrived damaged, and was obviously damaged before it was packaged for shipping. They were very apologetic and overnighted a new one no questions, as well as a return label for the damaged cat. It's working just fine, on its fourth season I think.

$1300 is a great price. It wouldn't hesitate if everything looks good. There really isn't anything hidden to look for.

 

[jetsam]

Why is it every time I see a blaze king the window is black, dirty, sooty, discolored, creosote covered ?

Awesome long low burns, dirty window. If you don't like the dirty window, burn high and it cleans itself.

I can tell you if my window is going to be clean or not for every day next week by looking at the national weather service's website.

 

[rwhite]

Going to look (get) a used princess ultra one evening this week or next Saturday worst case. It's about a 2 hours trip each way for me but I think it's worth it. Priced them new and I was right at 3k for a princess ultra with the fan kit and convection deck. Only thing this one doesn't have is the deck and that shouldn't be a major money item down the road if I want to get one I don't think.

So question is do I need to look at anything in particular? Said he's burned it about 3 years and had it for 4. Has downdraft issues with his basement so he replaced it with a gas unit down there. Also has a buck he burns on the main level that's also a cat.

View attachment 194103 View attachment 194104

Cat hasn't been replaced yet so he's willing to come down $200 since it's probably not too far in the future? Looked at firecat and they are on sale right now for $189 if it needs one. Or about $250 normally from them or condar?

Agreed price is $1300 is there anything else I need to look at in particular when I see the stove before I hand over the money?

I drove 3.5 hrs each way to get my Princess. When I seen it pop up on CL for $1000 with double wall and class a included I took the day off work and went and got it!

 

[Tar12]

I drove 3.5 hrs each way to get my Princess. When I seen it pop up on CL for $1000 with double wall and class a included I took the day off work and went and got it!

You lucky dog! I NEVER see any used ones here other than the really old ones that need trashed. OP Great score!

 

[rwhite]

You lucky dog! I NEVER see any used ones here other than the really old ones that need trashed. OP Great score!

I actually talked the down to $850! It also came with the corner hearth, fan kit and side shields, and cieling support. By the time I bought another section of class a and elbows I was into it about $1k. The OP might get the same deal if the seller is doing a complete removal. $1300 is still a screaming deal. Mine had the original cat as well. The guy hardly ever burned because his wife was allergic. I did the vinegar bath and it fires off great.

 

[Aranyic]

Went ahead and picked it up yesterday. $1300 came with new door gasket and updated latch from hechlers still in the box. Full manual with the cut out off of the box with serial number.

Cat had probably never been cleaned off before even when I took off the flame shield off creosote fell out of it (well I would assume; some sort of black junk). Wiped the cat off with a paintbrush though and the face looks fine. bypass door looked good as far as I can tell; bypass gasket was pretty flat not sure how long they are expected to last usually.

Got it fired up this morning and it's a black box set on 1.5; cat is glowing stove top about 450 cat at the very high end of active. Got a little smoke coming out of the stack and can smell a sulfery smell. Hasn't been burned in a year though and the cat had quite a bit of junk up in the shield. Maybe that will clean up as it burns a few cycles possibly? Flue probe is right at the mark between good and too cool, maybe a hair under. Do you still need to try and keep that up in orange zone with a cat stove? I'd say its at about 275-300 currently.

I've got some cat gasket on order from firecat; assume it will ship this week and it looks like 60 next weekend here on the 10day forecast. May pull the cat and give it a bath if the gasket comes by then.

 

[kennyp2339]

Do you still need to try and keep that up in orange zone with a cat stove?

Negative, the unit will be hard pressed to keep the flue warm, that's why BK says to install with dvl pipe.
As for the smell, try to increase the t stat slightly, it may keep the fire burning hotter, giving you better draft. Also the door gasket, after putting the new one on, did you test all area's with a dollar bill?

 

[Aranyic]

Negative, the unit will be hard pressed to keep the flue warm, that's why BK says to install with dvl pipe.
As for the smell, try to increase the t stat slightly, it may keep the fire burning hotter, giving you better draft. Also the door gasket, after putting the new one on, did you test all area's with a dollar bill?

Have not swapped the door gasket out yet. There's resistance when pulling a dollar bill out with the old one still. I wanted to get a feel for how everything was running existing before I started swapping things out having no experience with the stove yet.

At this point it's about 2.5 hrs into the burn and the cat thermometer is at about 3oclock very active. No smoke at all can't even tell it's hooked up.